06 YZ450F won't steer

[MACOP1104]

I'm 41 years old and new to motocross but have a roadracing background so I'm familiar with what clickers do what, sag, set up etc. 5'10" tall and weigh 205. I've had this bike for 2 months and I've done some basic work, 50 tooth rear, carb re-jet, breather tube mod, pro taper reed/henry bend tag sprockets, o-ring chain. Changed the OEM tires out. My problem is I can't get this thing to steer and I'm not happy with the stock suspension. I raised the forks about 10mm in the triples and it helped. It seems like it's worse with the new tires. WHen I get on the gas in the corners, the bike wants to stand up and run wide. I want to increase compression in the back to keep it from aqutting but then I get pounded on the bumps. My buddies 08 yz450 feels so much better, but his bike has pro-action suspension front and rear. My sag is set at 4". Any suggestions? applied triples maybe???? Thanks

[grayracer513]

Set the sag at 3 3/4". Ditch the Henry/Reeds and replace them with Windham bends. They will feel different. Give it two hours.

[MACOP1104]

i thought some extra preload would help. I'll give it a try. suspension is stock, I'm wondering if I need a stiffer spring?

[Tumbler_00]

Might be a stupid question, but have you changed your fork oil? Not just in the tubes but the damper too. Cause I dug into my forks, trying to fix the exact same symptom your describing, you described it better though. Trying to go into corners with power the bike wanted to stand up and turn wide, plus was terrible in small chop.

I flushed the fork oil, (it was sludge). Set my clickers to stock, raised my forks about 2mm in the triples. And now my bikes about 75% better in the chop, and about 65% better in the turns.

Point is, if your bike feels as bad as mine did, then your not even close. And I think were on the right track, trying to dial in our suspension first, to get us close. Then maybe play with bars and triple configurations, to get that last bit. Just my thoughts.

[MACOP1104]

Might be a stupid question, but have you changed your fork oil? Not just in the tubes but the damper too. Cause I dug into my forks, trying to fix the exact same symptom your describing, you described it better though. Trying to go into corners with power the bike wanted to stand up and turn wide, plus was terrible in small chop.

I flushed the fork oil, (it was sludge). Set my clickers to stock, raised my forks about 2mm in the triples. And now my bikes about 75% better in the chop, and about 65% better in the turns.

Point is, if your bike feels as bad as mine did, then your not even close. And I think were on the right track, trying to dial in our suspension first, to get us close. Then maybe play with bars and triple configurations, to get that last bit. Just my thoughts.

my bike has about 20 hours on it so maybe th OEM for oil is junk. It wouldn't surprise me because I'm always hunting for the suspension set-up. My buddy has a 08 450F which has been revalved and it feels awesome. I think I'm going to send the fork and shock to factory connection for a revalve before i spring for some applied triple clamps.

[grayracer513]

If you weigh 205 without gear, then yes, you would probably benefit from stepping up the spring rate.

[MACOP1104]

If you weigh 205 without gear, then yes, you would probably benefit from stepping up the spring rate.

ya i figured. and that's 205 on a good day.

[grayracer513]

ya i figured. and that's 205 butt nakid in the am....

Too much information

[MACOP1104]

fixed it for ya!

Ok, ordered a Rekluse e-axle from the Thumpertalk store. Gives me multiple setting options at an affordable price. Hopefully with less sag in the rear and a new handlebar position I can get this thing to turn better.

[Beaz]

Set the sag at 3 3/4". Ditch the Henry/Reeds and replace them with Windham bends. They will feel different. Give it two hours.

What would 3-3/4 be in mm? 95 or so

[MACOP1104]

What would 3-3/4 be in mm? 95 or so

1 inch = 25.4 mm

25.4x3.75=95.25mm

[djtroy]

fixed it for ya!

Ok, ordered a Rekluse e-axle from the Thumpertalk store. Gives me multiple setting options at an affordable price. Hopefully with less sag in the rear and a new handlebar position I can get this thing to turn better.

Ahhh welcome to the family of 06 owners who love the bike but cant stand the lack of cornering.

I solved it with the following mods.

The E Axle is AMAZING, you will come back on here freaking about about how much better your bike is. I also sent my suspension to DaveJ Smart Performance and it helped a lot to get the suspension set up. I just bought an SDG tall seat so I can sit on the gas cap in corners (havent tried it yet). I bought a set of pro taper EVOs in the CR bend (replacing my Renthal twin walls) and I moved them up pretty far in the clamps (this was to try and cure fore arm pump, not sure if I noticed any difference really). I run a Bridgestone M101 for the Florida sand, check that tire out if you run anything but hard pack.

Everything I did helped a little bit but the E Axle was a HUGE improvement in the cornering. I love the bike so much I just went and bought black rims and all new plastic and graphics should be here next week. Picked up Lightspeed carbon fiber fork guards and disk guard. I have a new love for my Yamaha. I can't believe I waited this long to buy that axle. I guess there won't be a new mx bike in my garage for the next year or two.

[MACOP1104]

Ahhh welcome to the family of 06 owners who love the bike but cant stand the lack of cornering.

I solved it with the following mods.

The E Axle is AMAZING, you will come back on here freaking about about how much better your bike is. I also sent my suspension to DaveJ Smart Performance and it helped a lot to get the suspension set up. I just bought an SDG tall seat so I can sit on the gas cap in corners (havent tried it yet). I bought a set of pro taper EVOs in the CR bend (replacing my Renthal twin walls) and I moved them up pretty far in the clamps (this was to try and cure fore arm pump, not sure if I noticed any difference really). I run a Bridgestone M101 for the Florida sand, check that tire out if you run anything but hard pack.

Everything I did helped a little bit but the E Axle was a HUGE improvement in the cornering. I love the bike so much I just went and bought black rims and all new plastic and graphics should be here next week. Picked up Lightspeed carbon fiber fork guards and disk guard. I have a new love for my Yamaha. I can't believe I waited this long to buy that axle. I guess there won't be a new mx bike in my garage for the next year or two.

Thanks for the feedbck on the e-axle. Is there any particular setting which made the big difference?

[djtroy]

Thanks for the feedbck on the e-axle. Is there any particular setting which made the big difference?

No i was hating that thing right up till I installed the axle. raising forks, sag all of that really didn't seem to help much.

[SkyHarborCowboy]

I think he meant which setting on the axle did you use to make the difference. I am not sure but cant you adjust the axle in varying amounts to have multiple settings?

Joe

[djtroy]

Thanks for the feedbck on the e-axle. Is there any particular setting which made the big difference?

I moved it back as far as it would go. Id be happy with a -22 offset im sure.

[sandrappy]

MACOP1104, let us know how you like the axle. I have an 06 that stands up in corners too and it bugs me. Thought it was cause i didn't know how to ride but seems like everyone has the same problem.

Is there anything else that helps the 06's turn better? i'm thinking i will replace the tires next but my biggest problems is i either ride/climb hard packed hills or am riding in sand so i don't know what tire would work well in both and still turn good.

[grayracer513]

Is there anything else that helps the 06's turn better? i'm thinking i will replace the tires next but my biggest problems is i either ride/climb hard packed hills or am riding in sand so i don't know what tire would work well in both and still turn good.

The D952, and the D755 Dunlops are the best I've tried so far for that.

For turning:

• Forks up 5~8mm
  
• Sag at 95~97
  
• Move bars forward and up
  
• Move yourself forward
  
• Lean the bike in more than yourself
  

Won't make an RM250 out of it, but it will help.

[Ga426owner]

I solved my 06 turning issue with Applied Racing 24mm clamps, SDG Tall Seat, Lightspeed wider pegs, correct suspension springs, valving and fluid level, fork height, sag, comp/rebound adjustment, and Michelin Starcross MS3 tires. (I tried many different offsets before settling on 24mm)

I will Say 65% of the problem is the Stock stinkbug/camelback saddle seat....it keeps you from getting your weight up on the rear of the gas tank without a ton of effort. The Tall SDG seat is much flatter than the stock Ushaped seat. The Pegs just add more surface area to move on/stay planted. Another 20% is wrong tire choice and incorrect suspension freeplay/sag/adjuster settings and the rest, 15% is the right or slightly better steering geometry. This is where the different offsets of either Triple clamps or a E-Axle will help. But alone they do not solve the real issue

The only time my 06 does not turn anymore is when I am too tired/ lazy to move my @$$ up on the rear of the gastank approaching the apex, turning, and then slightly sliding back to the neutral position during the exit. (completely dependent of the type of Corner)

[djtroy]

Not saying your guys are wrong, I know for sure everything helps but I did notice a HUGE difference with the E Axle. I bought the sdg tall seat and its hard as a rock and I didnt think it helped too much. Everything else I tried was minimal at best.

Trust me get an E-Axle you will crap your riding pants.